How to Get Chikorita, Cyndaquil & Totodile in Emerald

Catch 200 Hoenn Pokémon and Professor Birch offers one Johto starter in Emerald. What counts as complete, and how to get the other two.

Pokémon Emerald hides a second starter choice at the end of the Hoenn Pokédex: Professor Birch offers one of Chikorita, Cyndaquil or Totodile at level 5 in his lab in Littleroot Town. This guide explains the 200-species check and how to claim the reward.

Littleroot Town — return to Professor Birch’s lab after completing the Hoenn Pokédex.

Open this place on the map

What complete means: 200 species, not 202

The Hoenn Pokédex contains 202 entries, but the completion check requires 200 obtained species. Jirachi (#201) and Deoxys (#202) are excluded, so distribution events are not required. Mew is outside the Hoenn dex. Each required entry must be caught, hatched, evolved or traded onto the save; seeing it in battle is not enough.

Sweep the Safari Zone early, breed starters and fossils into trade material, then fill evolved stages. One caught Ralts can become three owned entries by evolving its line.

Claiming your starter

  1. Reach 200 owned entries Complete the required Hoenn Pokédex entries; Jirachi and Deoxys are excluded.
  2. Return to Littleroot Go to Littleroot Town and enter Professor Birch’s lab.
  3. Choose one starter Talk to Birch and choose one level 5 Chikorita, Cyndaquil or Totodile.
Littleroot Town on the PokéMaps Hoenn map with a player marker near Professor Birch’s lab
Professor Birch gives the completed-dex reward in his Littleroot Town lab.

Which one should you take?

  • Totodile — A physical Water line for a post-game team.
  • Cyndaquil — A fast special Fire attacker through Typhlosion.
  • Chikorita — A defensive Grass line and a useful breeding/trading choice.

Quick answers

Does complete mean seen or caught?
Owned. Register 200 of the 202 Hoenn entries as obtained.
Do I need Jirachi, Deoxys or Mew?
No. Jirachi and Deoxys are excluded from the requirement, and Mew is not in the Hoenn Pokédex.
Is the Johto starter reward in Ruby or Sapphire?
No. Professor Birch’s Johto starter offer is an Emerald reward.
How do I get all three Johto starters?
Choose one from Birch, then trade for the other two or their Eggs.